2. amps-preamps
  3. 167225-113241

Old Amps that can still Kick Butt

Not being a believer that time necessarily = progress, I would like to offer the following example of a sonic gem that has transcended time and can totally kick butt in a modern milieu:

The Robertson 4010. I got one of these about two years ago because it was in immaculate condition, the price was so low and I was inquisitive. I hooked it up and let it warm up for a couple of days. OMG this thing was in the super amp league: Transparency to die for, slam that you couldn‘t‘ believe for for a 50W amp.. Peter Moncrieffe wasn‘t wrong in his review of this amp: this thing is in the Sterreophile Class A component category hands down. Even after all these years.

What amps have you encountered that have defied time and can still kick butt today?


128x128pesky_wabbit
jakeman's avatar
jakeman
78 posts
 
I`m still enjoying my Adcom 5802 , 20 years and counting.
roadwhorerecords
279 posts
 
@jasonbourne52  
 I also have a Perreaux 2150B, love it. It was the only amp I have owned that my AR9s wouldn't eat. Plus as a dual burner stove, I can make an egg sandwich while listening to Triumvirat at the same time.
mickeyb
575 posts
 
Any older krell. I love my first gen ksa-100. Had the electrolytics replaced and it’s good for another 30yrs.. 80lbs, dual mono, pure class A. There are very few amps I’d upgrade to and those will cost a small fortune. 
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
501 posts
 
Pioneer SPEC-4 I purchased in the early 80’s. Last year, I gave it and my beloved DCM TimeWindow 3 speakers, and some other gear to my son.

McIntosh MC2600 I purchased in the late 90’s.  Been sitting unused for about 2 years.  Probably time to sell it and the rest of my Mc components.  
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
amplifiers have definitely "aged" better than just about any other audio component. I still have a Bryston 4B-ST and a Krell KAV-250a that both sound pretty good. Neither were particularly high-end in their day, but compared to modern amps at their original price point, they hold their own pretty well.
More to discover